Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 23 November 2023

Key Dates

College Prizegiving, this Sunday 26 November, 5.00pm, Wolfbrook Arena (Years 8–13 compulsory attendance, and Year 7 prize winners only);
Term 4 Chapel Service, Sunday 3 December, 5.00pm–5.40pm;
End of Year Preparatory School Assembly – Friday 8 December, 11.00am, Centennial Chapel;
Term 4 concludes at 12.35pm on Friday 8 December (please note there is no After-school Care);
Term 1 Commences on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

2024 Class Placements

Today, the children visited their next year's class teacher. The process was very positive and there were mostly happy faces. However, I appreciate some of the children may not have been placed with their preferred choice. If you have a child who feels this way, please reassure them that once the new term starts they will quickly connect to their new teacher and classmates, and all will be well.

The process of allocating children to 2024 classes has taken significant time. The placement of each child was discussed by relevant staff, irrespective of whether or not information was sent to the College.

2024 Preparatory School Class Teachers

Year 0/1: Anna Wylie, Greta Henley, Heather Orman
Year 2: Caroline Gardiner, Monique O’Sullivan
Year 3: Isaac Leota, Marlene Van der Bent
Year 4: Megan Feller, Emily-Jane Ullrich
Year 5: Susan Gaines, Fiona Patterson
Year 6: Lori Haisty, Adam Fleming
Year 7: Kelly McBride, Dave Ermerins, Rebecca McPhail, Annabelle Kerr
Year 8: Morgan Sheppard, Jo Cordner, Julia Evans, Mason Shaw

Arts in Action Showcase

Congratulations to the children and staff involved in last night’s Arts in Action Showcase. The welcome waiata and haka set the tone with a strong and inspirational performance. This was followed by several items from our arts programmes – dance, art, music, speeches, films, orchestra and much more. Much of the sharing was from class work at various stages of completion. The evening was a treat for the audience from beginning to end.

FLICKR >

Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival | This Saturday 25 November

The Years 4–8 Kapa Haka group is performing in the 9.00am Ngahau Performance at the Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival at the Town Hall this Saturday 25 November.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >

Ballet Production: Trilogy | Friday 1 – Saturday 2 December

The Ballet production performances take place next Friday and Saturday. If you are still considering purchasing tickets, get in quick! See more information in the notices.

Staff Leaving | Miss Sita Turner

Sita has been at the College since January 2020. She started with After-school Care and a few hours of Teacher Aide work. Her gentle, supportive and caring nature has fostered strong relationships with the children and staff. I thank her for her time at the College, and wish her every success for next year and beyond.

Kea Crossing

Please ensure you use the Kea Crossing before or after school when it is operating, and please do not attempt a right hand turn onto Normans Road when leaving the drop-off/pick-up zone.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Student Successes

Pre-school Storytime

The Pre-school is fortunate to belong to the Waimairi-iri Kāhui Ako or Community of Learning – a group of ECE settings, kura/schools and training providers that work together to help ākonga/students reach their full potential.

Today the Pre-school children were visited by Mel Scarlett from Wairakei School and Sue Pageot from Burnside Primary School. Mel and Sue shared a pūrakau (story) that told the story of how Aoraki (Mount Cook) was formed, and then taught the children a paki-whitu, a clapping game based around a seven-beat count. The Pre-school children then drew Aoraki and his teina (brothers) paddling their waka, before they had the misfortune to upturn their waka and turn to stone, creating Kā Tiritiri o te Moana – the Southern Alps. We are very grateful to Mel and Sue sharing their knowledge with us, and look forward to them visiting again.

FLICKR >

Sports Exchange

On Wednesday, the Preparatory School welcomed The Cathedral Grammar School for the annual Summer Sports Exchange. For the first time in Preparatory School history, it was great to have both the Preparatory Cricket 1st XI and Girls’ 1st XI playing at the same venue at the same time! The Preparatory School tennis A team recorded a comprehensive 9–3 defeat of Cathedral Grammar, winning three doubles matches and six singles. The 1st XI also won, with Joshua Stewart (Year 7) scoring a wonderful unbeaten 113 not out in St Andrew’s total of 234 from 30 overs. The team bowled and fielded exceptionally well to complete the victory. The Girls’ 1st XI also recorded a great victory as they scored 142, with Cathedral Grammar scoring 97 in reply. All games were played in a great spirit.

Athletics

The following Preparatory School athletics records were broken in 2023 at the Athletics Sports Day:

80m sprint – Frank McHarg (Year 6) – 12:25;
High Jump – Ming McCarthy (Year 4) – 1.10M; Samuel Carline 1.10M; Frank McHarg (Year 6) – 1.29M;
Discus – Sophie Jacobs (Year 5) – 17.50M;
Shot Put – Samuel Hoshek (Year 7) – 8.18M.

ICAS Awards

Two Year 7 St Andrew’s students were awarded with prestigious Gold ICAS Awards this year.

Hudson Blyde for Writing
Cong (Zilong) Chen for Spelling Bee

Ballroom Dance

Holly Hembry (Year 8) competed in the Aotearoa New Zealand Championships in Auckland last weekend in 17 events. Holly came away with 12 national titles, three second placings, one third place, and a fourth place against tough competition. This was a fantastic way to finish off her time in the Juvenile age group.

Tennis

Frank McHarg (Year 6) won the Canterbury Primary Schools Tennis Championships in both Singles and Doubles over the weekend. Next week he is off to the South Island Championships in Timaru.

Music

Ethan Waines (Year 7) and his brother Caleb (pictured left) performed in a piano recital in the Rising Stars Concert Series. The concert had over 100 attendees and it was a great success. The boys performed very well and received a standing ovation.

Ethan Zhao (Year 7) (pictured right) has earned Distinction in both ABRSM Piano Grade 7 and Trinity Violin Grade 7.

Swimming

Two students competed in the Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre in Timaru for the 2023 Apollo Projects Junior Festival – Makos swimming competition, which is the biggest junior swimming meet in New Zealand.

Yunze Li (Year 6) achieved the following results in the 10 & Under category):

1st – 200m Freestyle (also the first place in all 4 venues);
1st – 100m Freestyle (also the first place in all 4 venues);
1st – 50m freestyle;
3rd – 50m breaststroke;
3rd – 100m butterfly;
3rd – 100m individual medley;
3rd – 200m individual medley;
3rd – 50m kicking.

Chloe Wang (Year 5) received the following results in the 12 & Under category:

2nd – 6x50M free club relay;
1st – 100M free kick relay.

Notices

Cafeteria Orders

Effective from the beginning of Term 1 next year, the College's Kindo lunch service will undergo a cut-off time adjustment, moving from 9.00am to 8.00am.

This change aims to enhance efficiency and accommodate the evolving needs of students.

Advent Chapel | Sunday 3 December

Family Advent Service (Years 1–8) – Sunday 3 December, 5.00pm, in the Centennial Chapel

This is the Preparatory School’s final compulsory service of the year. Giving this year is for the Christchurch City Mission. Guidelines: a suitable (unwrapped) gift for age range 3–14 years.

Junior Choir (Years 3–5) and Cantare Choir

These two choirs will be singing at the Advent Chapel Service. Please note that this is all of the Year 3–4 students.

The students in these choirs need to arrive ready for a warm-up and run-through of their performance piece at 4.20pm in the Centennial Chapel. Full College uniform is worn with a blazer for this occasion.

There will be no entry to the chapel, other than the students in the choir, before 4.45pm.

Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival | Saturday 25 November

The Kapa Haka group is performing in the 9.00am Ngahau Performance on Saturday 25 November.

Tickets are now available for family members to buy. Performers do not require a ticket. This is for the students in Years 4–8 who are performing at the Town Hall in the Kapa Haka group.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >

Ballet Production: Trilogy

This year we present Trilogy, a triple bill showcasing three different performance presentations in one show! Kaleidoscope – a colourful fusion of dances developed over this year, creating a kaleidoscope of artistic endeavours. Peter and the Wolf – a delightful ballet that tells the story of Peter, his animal friends and a menacing wolf, with a score composed by Sergei Prokofiev in which each character is represented by a distinct musical theme. Winterscape – an original ballet, capturing the spirit and beauty of winter, journeying from a misty landscape to an enchanting skating party.

When: Friday 1 December – Saturday 2 December 2023

Friday 1 December, 1.30pm–3.15pm;
Friday 1 December, 6.30pm–8.15pm;
Saturday 2 December, 1.30pm–3.15pm;
Saturday 2 December, 4.00pm–5.45pm.

Where: Gym 1
Adult ticket: $35.00
Student ticket: $20.00

Please note: Seating allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

PURCHASE TRILOGY TICKETS HERE >

PTA Christmas Goodies | Collection Information

For those who placed a PTA Christmas Goodies order, there will be several opportunities to collect your order from the Second-hand Uniform Shop, on the following dates and times:

COLLECTION DATES/TIMES

Tuesday 28 November, 2.00pm–4.30pm;
Tuesday 5 December, 2.00pm–4.30pm.

Please note: unless arranged directly with the PTA, these are the only collection times available.

If you need to arrange an alternative, please contact PTA member Rachel Gunn via email by clicking here >

City Mission Christmas Appeal

The Community Service team is helping organise the College’s contribution to the Christchurch City Mission’s Christmas Appeal. Students and their families are invited to help disadvantaged children by donating gifts for children aged 3–14. The unwrapped purchased gifts can be taken and placed under the Christmas tree in the Centennial Chapel. This is a great opportunity to help our wider Christchurch community during the Christmas period, which can be a tough time for families, so we hope you all get involved.

For more information, please contact communityservice@stac.school.nz. Please bring in your donation by Wednesday 6 December.

The Strowan Gathering | Sunday 3 December

Come along to a gathering in the Scottish Highland tradition. Hosted by St Andrew’s College in partnership with the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band, join us for this free event as we celebrate all things Scottish, with a hint of Christmas cheer! Featuring piping, drumming, Highland dancing, Scottish country dancing, and a Pipe Band contest. With a bouncy castle, food vendors and a licensed bar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this fun, family day out!

When: Sunday 3 December, 9.00am–5.00pm
Where: St Andrew’s College Field
This is a free, non-ticketed event, no bookings are required

What's Happening When >

2023 Photography Online Orders

All 2023 photographs are now available to purchase online:

individual student photographs;
sports, cultural, music and leadership groups;
Year 9 and Year 13 whole year group photographs;
Ballet Academy photo (NEW – option to order A3);
Secondary School tutor group photographs;
Preparatory School class photographs.

Details of how to order the photographs can be found on our website using the button below and you will need to log into StACNet using your St Andrew's College login.

If you have any questions relating to this service, please email photography@stac.school.nz

ORDER PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE >